1. "Ya sure breakin' into here was such a smart idea? The Trebin's aren't known fer keepin' 'problems' around. Do we need the candy THIS badly?"
  2. "Shaddup. We'll be in 'n out 'fore they notice a thing."
  3. The night silence was broken by two thieves whose stealthiness matched their brilliance. They were currently standing outside one of the most heavily guarded compounds in the Elvish Isles: the Ambrosia orchard of the Trebin family.
  4. This was NOT a smart idea.
  5. "See any guards?"
  6. "No, I think we're good."
  7. "Then get to work, furball."
  8. The Boss started lighting a cigarette with that last order. His Companion glared, but said nothing. The Boss was going through withdrawals, and the cigarette would take the edge off...for a little bit at least. Made him pop out like a peacock, though.
  9. The Companion got out a pair of bolt cutters and got to work.
  10. "Ya know if there's any magical defenses about? I'd hate ta get incinerated by cuttin' this gate."
  11. "I don't think so. Th' big defenses should be inside. Ya know, where th' actual valuables are?"
  12. "And what exactly are we plannin' on doin' 'bout them?"
  13. "We'll figure that out when we get there."
  14. With a few quick *snip*s, they were in.
  15. The moon was barely lit, so the Boss could see barely see. The two were currently relying on the Companion's natural night vision. Being a plains cat had it's advantages...as well as it's disadvantages; the night air was thick in the Isles. Perfect for growing Ambrosia...miserable for the furrier folk.
  16. "Alright, I'm pretty sure there's a path 'round 'ere that should take us straight to th' trees. Then, we grab as much fruit as we can, then leave. Simple as Death itself."
  17. "Yeah, sounds like."
  18. The Boss drew his knife, a rather rubbish folder bought vastly overpriced in the alleys of Darkstaff, while his cat Companion drew a pistol. Ambrosia withdrawal doesn't do well for accuracy, nor does the dark.
  19. "Let's go."
  20. The Cat hated being ordered around by his "Boss", but owing as much money as he did led to certain obligations, as well as a distinctive lack of freedom.
  21. 
  22. They found the path, and followed it, the Boss being twitchy and careless all the way. He hasn't had a fix of candy in over three days.
  23. In his defense, it's been rather hard to find after the Church outlawed it due to it's psychoactive and addictive effects, as well as citing the scripture's distaste for it. Pretty much the only places you can get it now are hospitals, if you have very specific ailments, or from Pleasure Dens, if you knew the right people and had the cash.
  24. The Trebins reputably play both sides, but the Church has insofar not troubled them.
  25. 
  26. "I'm not seein' any trees, 'Boss'."
  27. "Keep movin', they gotta be 'round 'ere somewhere."
  28. "Considerin' the rather large, rather fancy building quickly coming up, I'd say they're not."
  29. "...keep moving, we'll go 'round it."
  30. The two were approaching the Trebin family mansion. A very large, very Elven building that appeared to be a century or three old. Back when the Isles were home to slaves plundered from it's very shores.
  31. A guard was approaching, so the Cat stole away his Boss' knife, and hid themselves. They were given away by the Boss' shaking, however, and the guard was dealt with. Messy work, but it had to be done.
  32. 
  33. As they approached the mansion, the Cat started hearing a conversation from within.
  34. "I will not have this! Dealing with thieves and criminals is one thing, they fear us! This, however, this...black deal you're making, it will kill us all!"
  35. "Father, please, calm yourself. I'm not juggling with our lives, I know exactly what I'm doing."
  36. "And that makes things better, how?! Knowledge implies experience; have you dealt with one of these...these THINGS before?"
  37. "Yes, of course. How else could I have gotten where I am, now?"
  38. "You...you ignorant, self serving son of a devil, get out! Get out right now before I unmake you and sic the guards on you!"
  39. The Cat was unable to hear any more, as they were out of earshot.
  40. His Boss appeared to be oblivious to the conversation. It just helped to make the Cat hate this night even more, now that they were apparently walking into the den of a beast.
  41. 
  42. "Look...look at all of this glorious fruit..."
  43. "Keep calm, 'Boss'. We don't need to get distracted, alright?"
  44. "Yeah...yeah, I know. I'm th' boss, remember...?"
  45. The Boss was clearly distracted.
  46. As the two started picking fruit, the Cat felt a chill upon his back. It was as if something was staring right through him.
  47. The next few seconds were...hard to remember. The Cat turned around, and was about to tell his Boss not to bite into the Ambrosia just yet...but that wasn't really needed, as the Boss' head was quickly, and messily, evicted from his shoulders. The Cat didn't clearly see what did it, as he started running about then, but it appeared as if a big, semi-amorphous blob of shadow was crouching behind what was now a headless corpse.
  48. The Cat never ran so hard in his life.